Controls Engineer

As a Controls Engineer, you will oversee the electrical and process controls aspects of new construction projects, optimizing existing plants with updated process control systems. You will program PLCs and provide electrical design through commissioning, with an emphasis on value-engineering and process optimization.

• Plan and execute the installation and commissioning of new systems effectively.
• Generate weekly status reports for projects for process stakeholders to review.
• Use, develop, and update Engineering Standards to current best practices.
• Perform all tasks in compliance with industry standards.
• Collaborate with site leadership to develop, implement, and track Key Performance Indicators to foster a culture of continuous improvement and accountability.
• Deploy and manage a centralized data historian for all plants on the controls network, identifying and generating plant-based KPIs for monthly reporting.
• Train and mentor others on control systems.

• Project management
• Electrical design
• Commissioning
• PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, SLC 500/505, CompactLogix, Automation Direct, Schneider)
• Controls engineering
• Networking
• Material handling
• Spray drying
• Piping systems
• Conveyors
• Process improvement

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or other engineering degree
• 2-5 years of relevant Controls/PLC programming experience
• Experience with control panels, networking, and Ethernet
• Proficiency in AutoCAD
• Experience with drying, distillation, pneumatic conveying, fermentation, rotating equipment, heat transfer, and general plant utilities
• Knowledge of process excellence and performance improvement tools such as Lean, PDCA, Six Sigma, Kaizen, Process mapping, waste reduction
• Experience in coaching and influencing senior leaders
• Ability to work in hot and occasionally dusty environments
• Knowledge of ISA electrical diagrams and general NFPA 70E standards and requirements
• Self-starter, highly motivated, and reliable with excellent written and verbal communication skills

The position requires working from 8 AM to 5 PM, with 60% of the time spent on the manufacturing floor and 40% in the office. The environment may be hot and dusty. The role involves approximately 25% travel to other sites, with trips potentially lasting up to a week at a time.

This is a Permanent position based out of Nicholasville, KY.

The pay range for this position is $100000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Health, dental, vision, 401k, PTO/holiday

This is a fully onsite position in Nicholasville,KY.

This position is anticipated to close on Mar 13, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.